Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis could ban flags from the Somerset event, following on from Reading and Leeds installing a similar rule.
They’re part of festival life. Tied to your tent or carried to the main stage flags bring colour and vitality to festival scenery often dominated by miles of tents, litter and brown mud.
However the backlash has begun. In recent times the explosive growth of festivals has seen more and more fans rush to get large banners and flags. In the view of many festival organisers these flags obstruct the view of those behind them, and many events are taking action.
Reading and Leeds recently banned ticket holders from taking flags into the main arena. Arguing that fans who had bought their passes would have their views obstructed, the festival has set a precedent that others may follow.
In an interview with BBC News Melvin Benn claimed that discussions had already begun with Glastonbury organisers with a view to banning flags from the Somerset site.
Speaking about this year’s event Benn said “you couldn’t see the acts. The flags were everywhere. There have always been flags, but not to the level that there has been. And the flags have become very long and tall.”
However the move has split festival fans, with many arguing that more could be done to limit the size of flags sold at the summer events.
Glastonbury was a huge success regardless. The Worthy Farm event set up an inventive new ticket scheme then gathered an array of stunning acts including Bruce Springsteen’s first ever appearance at a UK festival event.
